September 28, 2024 Issue, Page 21 of 22

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 + 9 Toby Porter Canute Junior High Fast Pitch a What young athletes can do to reduce injury risk Exercise is great for the body. Athletes should learn and imple- pre-participation physical allows season off per year. Scholastic and _ recreational ment the proper techniques for for the screening, prevention and + Play different sports. By sports is one of the primary whatever sport they are playing to treatment of any conditions that participating in different sports, ways children and adolescents lower their injury risk. can affect play and contribute to an athlete can avoid using the get the exercise they need. Even + Dont push through pain. injury. same muscle groups al the time. though sports participation is Pain is one way the body commu- + Gradually increase training For example, the muscles used relatively safe, there’s no guaran- nicates that something isn't right. intensity, The American Ortho- for swimming may be different tee athletes won't suffer an inju- At the first sign of pain, an athlete paedic Society for Sports Medi- from those used for playing field ry. However, there are ways for should take a break and be as- cine indicates athletes should hockey. Utilizing different mus- student athletes to reduce their sessed by a medical professional. always build up their training cles reduces the risk for overuse risk of getting hurt while play- Playing through pain can make gradually. One way to do so is to injuries. Taylor, Jessi Weir. Middle Row: Lily Woodson, Graci Snowder, ing the games they love. an injury worse and sideline ath- follow the 10 percent rule, which + Strengthen the core, Mount Kinley Pruett, Brooke Thomas, Tatum Gillett, Head Coach JW + Maintain flexibility. Mount letes for longer than expected. advises against increasing train- Sinai notes a strong core, which ett, Asst Coach Brock Steffes. Front Row: ia Bot yo, Sinai says it is extremely impor- + Wear the right gear. Johns ing activity, weight, mileage, or is the abdominal area of the body, Polensky, Jerseigh Walkei Mariana Montoya, Adrianna Bake tant for athletes to perform dy- Hopkins Medicine emphasizes pace by more than 10 percent per can help athletes avoid injuries. namic stretches before starting using proper, well-fitting gear. week. Exercises that strengthen the core any activity. Cold muscles are Certain gear may be cumbersome Rest and take breaks. Athletes can improve balance, stability and Canute High School vulnerable to injury, so it’ best to and athletes may be tempted to who play sports year-round have strength. do some sort of physical warm- forego it, but that can result in a greater tendency than others to up, including jumping jacks, butt greater injury risk. suffer overuse injuries because Student athletes may want to get ahead in the sports they play, Fast Pitch kicks, running in place, or arm + Get a sports physical. Most their bodies are not given an op- but it should never be at the ex- circles, programs mandate an updated portunity to rest and recover. pense of putting their bodies at a + Practice proper technique. sports physical examination. This Athletes should take at least one greater risk for injury. How to plan a football road trip The popularity of football is er weather, Though football undeniable. Football fans anx- fans tend to be a hardy breed, iously await the return of the weather still merits consider- sport each fall. The season's ation when planning a football opening kickoff stokes the pas- travel weekend. The tail end of sion of fans of scholastic, col- a football season can be cold, lege and professional football, particularly when traveling to Back Row: Sayde Allen, Paisley Visnieski, Kyanne Pelkey, Kay- prompting a months-long focus parts of North America where ton Taylor, Head Coach JW lett. Middle Row: Graci Snowder, on the sport. winter typically begins early. If Destiney Jackson, Kendall Schuster, Taylor Polensky, Kynli Many fans take their love of cold weather figures to dampen Carlson, Brooke Thomas, Asst. Coach Brock Steffes. ‘ront Row: football on the road each sea- your travel experience, look for Mia Borrayo, Camri Tabor, Makenzie Thompson, Maci Rogers son. In fact, travel has become indoor stadiums or follow your sucha big component of football favorite team to regions like the fandom that the National Foot- southeastern or southwestern ball League has made an event United States, where tempera- 7 benefits of of its annual schedule release each spring. Once schedules are released, its not uncommon for football travel weekend, as they typically include tickets to a fans to begin making plans to game and lodging. Some pack- who want to take their fandom on the road this football sea- tures tend to remain welcom- ing even as the football season reaches its latter stages. son should visit team websites Traveling on the road with cheerleading travel so they can support their ages even include bus or airfare and secondary market sellers to your favorite team is a great way team on the road. Whether fans and pregame meet-ups with confirm ifticket prices are with- to take your football fandom to intend to drive, fly or take an- fellow fans at an establishment in their budgets. If so, purchase the next level. That's particu- other route to the game, they close to the stadium. tickets and then begin planning larly true when fans give ample Cheerleading captivates mil- cessitate stamina and strength. can consider these tips to make + Confirm you can get ticl the rest ofthe trip. thought to certain variables pri- lions of participants. Statista Re- 4, Fosters discipline: Practices, the most of their football road ets. Apps and websites Ii + Don't forget to. consid- or to booking a trip. search says roughly 3.8 million showing up on the sidelines for trip this season. SeatGeek, Stubhub and Tick- Americans age six and older par- ticipated in cheerleading in 2023, football games and other sports and competing against other + Plan early. ‘The earlier fans begin planning, the more like- etmaster ensure it's possible to get tickets to any game on the schedule in a given season. Good luck teams! — which was up from 3.5 million a cheer squads all are part of the ly they are to get great tickets, year earlier. According to Cheer cheerleading experience. Cheer- budget-friendly travel deals and However, fans should do a little Canada, the nation’ governing leaders need to prepare and focus comfortable lodging. Sched- research into ticket prices prior body of cheerleading, the sport to be at the best of their abilities, ules are typically released many to booking any other compo- has more than 400 schools and and that preparation fosters a months before the season be- nents of the trip. Much has been clubs and roughly 25,000 partici- sense ofdiscipline. gins, and fans are urged to be- made of consumer demand pants across the country. 5, Helps to build confidence: gin planning their trips once for live event experiences after they can confirm the date of the restrictions related to the CO- While competitions and sup- As participants make new friends porting school teams are the and develop their skills, their game they would like to attend. VID-19 pandemic were lifted. main objectives of cheerleading, confidence levels grow. Perform- + Consider sponsored travel For example, the entertainment there are many additional bene- ing in front of an audience helps packages. Individual _ teams, company Live Nation reported fits of being involved in the sport. cheerleaders adapt to being in leagues or private fan clubs may a 32 percent increase in rev- 1. Teaches sportsmanship: the public eye, which also boosts organize travel packages to par- enue during the third quarter of 2023. That heightened demand ticular games for interested fans. Cheer helps to teach athletes how their confidence, Floating is a natural medication free way to manage your aches and pains. to accept defeat gracefully, be 6. Improves self-awareness: Such packages can save fans the has driven up the cost to attend (580) 225-0223 + 617 W. 3rd St. Elk City, OK 73644 proud of successess and maintain Cheerleaders need to be aware of legwork of planning their own live events in many cities. Fans respect for fellow competitors or their movements both individu- teams no matter a game’ final outcome. ally and as part ofthe squad. This involves being in tune with what hope. you have fun! We Hope you Accomplish All Your Goals This Year! 2. Encourages teamwork: their bodies are doing in the air Cheerleading is a team sport and on the floor in relation to that takes into consideration others, participants’ strengths to achieve 7. Connects participants with the best outcome for the team. their community: Not only are Squads that are inclusive of all cheerleaders part of the team, skill levels and athletes have the they often act as ambassadors best environment for success, for schools and programs. This may take them to various events Q FULLY INSURED)ire HEAVY DUTY TOWING & RECOVERY 3. Promotes physical fitness: Cheerleading is hard work that where they get to mingle with Don't forget to get what you need to winterize! wari : Dita Serving Oklahoma & Surrounding States pushes the body through cardio- the community and spread good vascular exercises as part of high- energy routines. Choreography can include dance, tumbling, cheer. Cheerleading benefits partici- pants in a number of significant A&C Spa and Pool a Eanes Tre Changes jumps, and other stunts that ne- ways. 909 N. Main St, Elk City « 580-225-6634 580-225-4191 aren3